Kenya coach praises side despite defeat

Harambee Stars coach James Nandwa has lavished praise on his players for putting up a brave performance in the 2012 Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup in Kampala.

Stars lost 2-1 to Uganda Cranes in a thrilling final at the Nelson Mandela Stadium on Saturday night.

"I’m happy with the high standards my boys exhibited against Uganda. They followed instructions and played well throughout the tournament," Nandwa said. He congratulated Cranes for winning a regional 13th title.

"We lost to a good team. We did our best but luck wasn’t on our side. We lost concentration in a crucial moment that gifted Cranes the second goal," Nandwa said.

"Stars were denied two penalties after Rama Salim was fouled in the box and when a Ugandan defender handled in the box. The quality of officiating has been poor throughout the tournament," Nyamweya said.

The final was handled by Burundian referee Thiery Nkurunziza including the Cup final. Nyamweya said it was surprising that Cecafa had to appoint the same referee for three of Kenya’s matches which were all "poorly handled" - against Zanzibar, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Hugely successful

"We were surprised Cecafa appointed Burundi match official in three of our games where he unfairly handled our team," he said.

Nyamweya said while they had left the incidents involving the match official in group stage to pass, it was sad that the referee made "questionable decisions" in the final.

"Cecafa should ensure the competition benefits member countries by helping to develop the sport. They should appoint good match officials in future," he said.